One local person described the debris as an 'eyesore': "The mid-summer fires go back to ancient rituals. It's a way for people to dispose of their rubbish. There were efforts to monitor it a number of years ago but this year there is a big mound of rubbish in this beautiful setting."

A sign indicating that a €1,500 fine applies to illegal dumping was also damaged in the fires.

A county council spokeswoman said it was investigating the matter. However, she said the council records all complaints but had received no complaint about this in 2013. She said a very similar complaint was received in 2012, and this was dealt with.